The Monterey Peninsula Guide
Food Scene
Because their food is awesome and the Margarita's are top shelf.
26 locals recommend
Peppers Mexicali Cafe
170 Forest AveBecause their food is awesome and the Margarita's are top shelf.
This is not a budget restaurant, but the menu is such that we've never had anything there that is simply just excellent. All their meals are beyond exceptional.
68 locals recommend
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse AveThis is not a budget restaurant, but the menu is such that we've never had anything there that is simply just excellent. All their meals are beyond exceptional.
Because it is an amazing breakfast restaurant with a super staff.
55 locals recommend
First Awakenings
300 David AveBecause it is an amazing breakfast restaurant with a super staff.
This place is awesome. Best food on a budget. We personally recommend the House Burrito. Great for eating in or taking out and bringing back to our place. All the locals go here.
25 locals recommend
Michael's Grill & Taqueria
1126 Forest AveThis place is awesome. Best food on a budget. We personally recommend the House Burrito. Great for eating in or taking out and bringing back to our place. All the locals go here.
If tempted to go to the Bagel Bakery, try this place out. It is amazing. Another favorite spot of locals.
BAGEL KITCHEN
1132 Forest AveIf tempted to go to the Bagel Bakery, try this place out. It is amazing. Another favorite spot of locals.
Absolute Best Take-out Chinese. They have dine in too, but most locals get take out right out of the back door of the kitchen behind Wells Fargo. Take it out and bring it home or take it to the beach and enjoy.
21 locals recommend
Tommy's Wok
Absolute Best Take-out Chinese. They have dine in too, but most locals get take out right out of the back door of the kitchen behind Wells Fargo. Take it out and bring it home or take it to the beach and enjoy.
Cowgirl Winery
4 Pilot RdGreat wine. Bocce Ball. Chickens running loose. Pet friendly.
Wagon Wheel Restaurant
7156 Carmel Valley RdThe very best breakfast spot around. Hands down.
Inside Spanish Bay Resort and very close to our home. Good food and drinks. A high end sports bar if you will.
8 locals recommend
STICKS
2700 17 Mile DriveInside Spanish Bay Resort and very close to our home. Good food and drinks. A high end sports bar if you will.
A super breakfast restaurant in Seaside. It is a no frills place, but you get the sense they put all their time and energy into amazing food.
32 locals recommend
The Breakfast Club
1130 Fremont BlvdA super breakfast restaurant in Seaside. It is a no frills place, but you get the sense they put all their time and energy into amazing food.
Costco Wholesale
801 Tioga AveFor $1.50 you get a got dog and a drink!!!!!!! LOL
Probably the favorite Pizza Restaurant around town. In the Del Monte Shopping Center
141 locals recommend
Pizza My Heart
209 EsplanadeProbably the favorite Pizza Restaurant around town. In the Del Monte Shopping Center
Exceptional Mediterranean quisine. These guys are great, but if you want a budget friendly version, there is a "Chipotle Style" version of this very restaurant in Del Monte Mall.
67 locals recommend
Dametra Cafe
Lincoln StreetExceptional Mediterranean quisine. These guys are great, but if you want a budget friendly version, there is a "Chipotle Style" version of this very restaurant in Del Monte Mall.
The "Chipotle Style" version of the wildly popular Ocean Ave Restaurant in Carmel. GREAT food. I bet they franchise this and it goes viral.
Dametra Fresh Mediterranean
630 Del Monte CenterThe "Chipotle Style" version of the wildly popular Ocean Ave Restaurant in Carmel. GREAT food. I bet they franchise this and it goes viral.
Because you have to have the cioppino. Phil spanked Bobby Flay when Bobby came to town to try to match the cioppino.
123 locals recommend
Phil's Fish Market & Eatery
10700 Merritt StreetBecause you have to have the cioppino. Phil spanked Bobby Flay when Bobby came to town to try to match the cioppino.
The best views of any restaurant in the world, probably. While you are here for the views, the food is pretty good as well.
28 locals recommend
Rocky Point Restaurant
36700 CA-1The best views of any restaurant in the world, probably. While you are here for the views, the food is pretty good as well.
Sensational. Eat outside during nice weather. Worth a drive to the village for sure.
12 locals recommend
ROUX
6 Pilot RdSensational. Eat outside during nice weather. Worth a drive to the village for sure.
The atmosphere is incredible. The food is amazing. A great week day happy hour (M-F 3:30 to 6PM). It's near the airport, not terribly far, but well worth the drive.
40 locals recommend
Tarpy's Roadhouse
2999 Monterey Salinas HwyThe atmosphere is incredible. The food is amazing. A great week day happy hour (M-F 3:30 to 6PM). It's near the airport, not terribly far, but well worth the drive.
People who go to restaurants, like Rocky Point and Nepenthe will love the place. Its much closer. The food is amazing. The views are insane. We like to get a reservation for patio dining weekdays when the weather is nice.
19 locals recommend
California Market at Pacific's Edge
120 Highlands DrPeople who go to restaurants, like Rocky Point and Nepenthe will love the place. Its much closer. The food is amazing. The views are insane. We like to get a reservation for patio dining weekdays when the weather is nice.
heirloom pizza co.
700 Cass StSimply amazing pizza.
Rosine's Restaurant
434 Alvarado StVery popular local restaurant.
Vivolo's Chowder House
127 Central AveGreat clam chowder. Great seafood as well.
Drinks & Nightlife
Because.... all beer snobs have to try the local brewery. We have a growler you can borrow so you can bring your favorite beer home with you.
65 locals recommend
Alvarado Street Brewery
426 Alvarado StBecause.... all beer snobs have to try the local brewery. We have a growler you can borrow so you can bring your favorite beer home with you.
Another exceptional local brewery. It is quieter than Alvarado Street Brewery, and is great for watching sports.
12 locals recommend
Peter B’s Brewpub
Two Portola PlazaAnother exceptional local brewery. It is quieter than Alvarado Street Brewery, and is great for watching sports.
Everybody has to visit Spanish Bay and have a drink at sunset while the bagpiper salutes the sun for the evening. Gate fee is just a little over $10 and well worth it. We recommend to drive the coast to the Lodge and stop along the way, especially at The Lone Cypress. Be careful not to get close to the water on high surf days.
35 locals recommend
The Inn at Spanish Bay
2700 17 Mile DrEverybody has to visit Spanish Bay and have a drink at sunset while the bagpiper salutes the sun for the evening. Gate fee is just a little over $10 and well worth it. We recommend to drive the coast to the Lodge and stop along the way, especially at The Lone Cypress. Be careful not to get close to the water on high surf days.
Great beer. Food Truck nearby. Excellent parking. Inside our Outside service.
22 locals recommend
Dust Bowl Brewing Co. Tap Depot
290 Figueroa StGreat beer. Food Truck nearby. Excellent parking. Inside our Outside service.
Parks & Nature
Because you will say WOW over and over again at the stunning beauty of the park.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Because you will say WOW over and over again at the stunning beauty of the park.
A great place for a hike or trail run. You can mountain bike on one side as well. Dog friendly.
133 locals recommend
Garland Ranch Regional Park
700 W Carmel Valley RdA great place for a hike or trail run. You can mountain bike on one side as well. Dog friendly.
Via Paraiso Park
Just down the street from "The Monterey Getaway."
Sightseeing
This is a great beach to visit. We can call you into Pebble Beach, and you can access it from walking behind Spanish Bay. You can walk to it from our home, or you can drive an park along Sunset. Half the beach is leash off dog friendly. The other half is a leash on beach.
77 locals recommend
Asilomar State Beach
Sunset DriveThis is a great beach to visit. We can call you into Pebble Beach, and you can access it from walking behind Spanish Bay. You can walk to it from our home, or you can drive an park along Sunset. Half the beach is leash off dog friendly. The other half is a leash on beach.
Drive from Spanish Bay to the Lone Cypress and to The Lodge at Pebble Beach. It is simply stunning. There is a gate fee of approx $10.
9 locals recommend
Lone Cypress
Drive from Spanish Bay to the Lone Cypress and to The Lodge at Pebble Beach. It is simply stunning. There is a gate fee of approx $10.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest AveVery close to our home and our first choice for grocery shopping.
If you insist on spending your whole pay check, we have one of these as well.
71 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
800 Del Monte CenterIf you insist on spending your whole pay check, we have one of these as well.
Arts & Culture
Before your trip google the Sunset Center in Carmel to see if any entertainment that may interest you will be in town.
42 locals recommend
Sunset Center
San Carlos StreetBefore your trip google the Sunset Center in Carmel to see if any entertainment that may interest you will be in town.
Shopping
Grove Market
242 Forest AveJust a great local treasure. They might just have everything here.
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest AveGreat for groceries.